System and method for a cabinet rim modifier

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for securely framing an enclosure with an easily formed and integrated inert material, thereby providing a non-reactive environment for securing one or more objects.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/138,062, filed Jan. 15, 2021, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

Items, objects, exhibits, and products of many and diverse subjects, sizes, and compositions are selected to be exhibited and/or placed in enclosures for display. Examples range from exhibiting rare or ancient items in a museum to securing family heirlooms in a home. Securing and maintaining the items in long-term enclosures requires consideration of the environment of and within those enclosures. For example, adhesives used to assemble an enclosure can secrete gases that can be damaging to some items, including the circumstances where the items actually come in contact with such materials. Further, enclosures made of organic material, such as wood, are commonplace because wood is an easily formed product that has been around for centuries, is renewable, and is relatively inexpensive. However, some items react in the presence of organic materials, especially within an enclosure that is partially or completely sealed from outside air. Such enclosure construction components may off-gas substances that can be harmful to the exhibited objects. Exhibit cases constructed of such components may need an air exchange or filtration system to remove such harmful products, significantly adding to the cost of such enclosures and the difficulty of their maintenance. In fact, some owners, such as museums, who are willing to share their collections, may require the items be exhibited in wood-free displays. Museums that reuse exhibit cases may find that past used exhibit cases cannot be reused because of the contamination inherent in the cases, thereby adding to the cost and need for preplanning to accommodate new exhibits.

It is challenging to identify appropriate construction materials that meet the requirements of chemical and physical stability, workability, and aesthetics as well as the requirements of case design. Wood composite materials—such as Medium Density Overlay and Medium Density Fiberboard (MDO and MDF)—have been used in the past, but the adhesive components of these boards off-gas damaging pollutants; and most museums have moved away from using these products. Sintra, a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) foam board, has been used recently in case construction (label boards and decking) but it is not recommended in the context of long-term exhibition as it releases low levels of hydrochloric acid on the slow degradation of the PVC. An aluminum composite with a polyethylene core, Dibond, is another material that has replaced the use of MDO/MDF in case construction; but artificial aging tests suggest that this material is not appropriate for long-term exhibition.

Choice of museum case construction materials has a profound impact on the long-term preservation of art collections. Construction materials should not emit pollutants and should have long-term chemical and physical stability as volatile compounds can interact with and damage art objects. Many materials, for example, most metals, calcium-based objects (shell, coral, limestone), lead-glazed ceramics, photographs, lead white paint, can be impacted from airborne pollutants such as acetic and formic acids, formaldehyde, hydrogen sulfide and nitrogen oxides. These harmful volatile compounds are present in materials traditionally used to construct exhibition cases.

What is needed is an inert material for building exhibit enclosures, the material being easy to form into custom enclosures, easily available, and relatively inexpensive.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to present a selection of concepts that are further described in greater detail below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify all important or required features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to establish the scope of the claimed subject matter.

According to certain embodiments, a method provides a rim modifier for supporting an object to be securely displayed, the method including extruding an aluminum component to form rim modifier components, wherein the rim modifier components are configured to be secured to a base and are further configured to securely accept vitrine components for displaying an object, wherein the rim modifier components are further configured to support a deck, which in turn supports the object to be displayed. The method further provides for assembling the rim modifier components and the vitrine components to provide a secure and environmentally stable enclosure for displaying the object, wherein the rim modifier components consist solely of an inert material. While aluminum is a preferred embodiment for the components of the label rail system, other inert materials can be used.

Additional embodiments are directed to a display enclosure for providing a secure enclosure for displaying an object, including a housing structure containing mechanical components and electrical components, the housing structure configured to be secured to a foundation and comprising a base for a display enclosure; and an exhibit enclosure secured to the housing structure, the exhibit enclosure including a rim modifier in three or more pieces, secured to the housing structure, the rim modifier constructed solely of an inert material. The exhibit enclosure further includes a deck secured to the rim modifier pieces and forming an enclosure above the deck and framed by the rim modifier pieces, the deck supporting an object being exhibited within the secure enclosure. The exhibit enclosure also includes a vitrine in three or more pieces, secured to the rim modifier pieces, the vitrine pieces forming a secured enclosure exhibiting an object within the space formed by the vitrine pieces.

Embodiments of this technology provide significant benefits over existing technologies in that they can provide an interlocking and self-supporting enclosure constructed of aluminum. Aluminum is easily machined and extruded; it is inert, lightweight, durable, and fire and corrosion resistant, making it an ideal material for museum use. In addition, the proposed system can be installed without the use of adhesives, which can be a source of airborne pollutants.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention has other features and advantages which will be apparent from or are set forth in more detail in the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein, and the following Detailed Description, which together serve to explain certain principles of the present invention and to enable a person of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the embodiments disclosed herein. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate various aspects of this label rail system and method. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates a label rail body and a rail back support showing clearance tolerances.

FIG. 2 illustrates a label rail body profile.

FIG. 3 illustrates a rail back support profile.

FIG. 4 illustrates a rim modifier profile.

FIG. 5 illustrates a label rail body and a rail back support profile.

FIG. 6 illustrates a label rail body and a rail back support showing clearance tolerances.

FIG. 7 illustrates a label rail body being cut at a 45 degree, compound angle.

FIG. 8 illustrates label rail body corners joined with corner hardware.

FIG. 9 illustrates a rail back support installed on a section of a label rail body.

FIG. 10 illustrates the underside of a completed label rail body frame with rail back support sections installed.

FIG. 11 illustrates a corner detail of an assembled label rail body frame.

FIG. 12 illustrates an assembled label rail body frame.

FIG. 13 illustrates a fully assembled label rail system installed on an exhibition case. Shown with an acrylic deck.

FIG. 14 illustrates a fully assembled label rail system installed on an exhibition case. Shown with an acrylic deck, welded acrylic risers, and unfinished sides.

FIG. 15 illustrates a fully assembled label rail system installed on an exhibition case. Shown with an acrylic deck, welded acrylic risers, and finished sides.

FIG. 16 illustrates a rim modifier profile.

FIGS. 17-18 illustrates a section of a fully assembled exhibit frame for enclosing an exhibit, including a label rail body, a rail back support, and a rim modifier.

FIG. 19 illustrates a section of a fully assembled exhibit frame for enclosing an exhibit, including a label rail body, a rail back support, and a rim modifier, along with a brace for fastening the corners of the frame.

FIGS. 20-22 illustrate a label rail body with a brace for fastening the label rail body at a frame corner.

FIG. 23 illustrates a section of a fully assembled exhibit frame for enclosing an exhibit, including a label rail body, a rail back support, and a rim modifier.

FIGS. 24-27 illustrate a fully assembled exhibit frame in a vertical orientation, formed with rim modifier components.

FIG. 28 illustrates two fully assembled exhibit frames, one in a horizontal orientation located on a floor stand and one in a vertical orientation fastened to a vertical member, such as a display or wall, formed with rim modifier components.

FIG. 29 illustrates an exhibit frame being assembled with rim modifier components fastened onto two sides.

FIG. 30 illustrates a corner of an exhibit frame being assembled with rim modifier components.

FIG. 31 illustrates a fully assembled exhibit frame in a horizontal orientation located on a floor stand.

FIG. 32 illustrates a wall cleat to which the assembled exhibit frame of FIG. 24 can be fastened.

FIG. 33 illustrates a rim modifier jig.

FIG. 34 illustrates a section of a rim modifier being stabilized by a rim modifier jig while being cut to length.

It should be understood that the appended drawings are not necessarily to scale, presenting a somewhat simplified representation of various features illustrative of the basic principles of the invention. The specific design features of the present invention as disclosed herein, including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, locations, and shapes can be determined in part by persons of ordinary skill in the art for the particular intended application and use environments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The label rail system provides the best of museum-quality case components and aesthetics to the individual fabricators/museums not wanting to purchase expensive, made-to-order cases from large manufacturers. Because this invention is produced and purchased as stock material, rather than a finished product, the consumer maintains full flexibility to fabricate and modify their own custom products based on specific, individual case needs.

The disclosed label rail system has been designed to provide a high-quality option for label rail/riser components in exhibition casework, that exceeds strict conservation requirements, and is available to the custom fabricator. This product is produced as a ready-to-cut material that can be cut, assembled, and finished by in-house production shops of any scale with basic tools. This system has been developed for application in new case construction, as well as for modification and upgrading of existing exhibition cases. The label rail system and components described in the various embodiments below address many of the limitations of existing enclosure construction materials, satisfy exhibit requirements of sharing museums, and safely secure collections within an inert enclosure with no degradation of the enclosed items.

The label rail system consists of three interlocking components. These components are designed to connect together as a complete assembly or as single, standalone components. Various configurations are shown in the attached figures. The label rail body is shown in FIGS. 2, 5, and 6. The rail back support is shown in FIGS. 3, 5, and 6. The rim modifier is shown in FIGS. 4 and 16. An assembled exhibit frame consisting of a label rail body, a rail back support, and a rim modifier is shown in FIGS. 17, 18, 19, and 23. The label rail body and the rail back support are shown separately in FIG. 5 and as integrated together in FIGS. 6 and 9. The dimensions shown in FIGS. 2-5 are intended to be exemplary and not limiting.

The label rail body, the rail back support, and the rim modifier are constructed of and extruded from aluminum stock. Often the stock aluminum is available in 96 inch long pieces, but can easily be cut into shorter lengths before or after the three exemplary interlocking components are extruded. However, with use of the rail back support, as shown in FIG. 9, any length beyond 96 inches can be constructed. 6061-T6 aluminum alloy has been found to be particularly useful for extruding the components, and can be welded if the fabricator so chooses. For example, the corners or junctions of the components could be welded as an alternative to using the corner brackets shown in FIGS. 8 and 10. Due to the solution heat-treated temper of this alloy, it is notorious for its strength and resistance to bending. Aluminum can be considered inert and is therefore an excellent choice for the construction of preservation-quality museum case components. Because of the inert characteristic of the components of the label rail system, framing built of these components would not require traditional and time-consuming museum materials testing. The use of aluminum for the label rail system provides a versatile, flexible, and secure framing system for enclosing and displaying items while provided required chemical and physical stability. However, embodiments of this system can use inert materials other than aluminum.

The label rail body, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, is the main component for this system; and is designated in the figures as element 102. It supports the display case deck, as shown in FIGS. 13, 14, and 15; provides an angled surface for the case label; and (in conjunction with the deck) separates the object cavity from the case cabinet cavity, which in turn can house various mechanical and electrical components. While one design for the label rail body is shown in the figures, variations of this design are contemplated, to be integrated with corresponding variations of the rail back support and rim modifier, to provide for a range of label rail heights to accommodate larger and smaller case label surface areas. Variations can also be offered with a range of standard rail angles, other than the 45 degree angles shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 5, 17-19, and 23. In accordance with its name, and as shown in FIG. 15, the outside surface of the label rail body can be utilized for an attachment, painting, or engraving of information related to the item or exhibit shown within the case bounded by the label rail system.

The rail back support, as shown in FIGS. 3, 5,17-19, 22, and 23, can be designed to integrate with any label rail body variation; and is designated in the figures as element 104. A variety of wall thicknesses can be offered in any of the three components, which can provide a variety of ranges of total load capacity. The rail back support, when used with and inserted within the label rail body, can extend the useful length of the label rail body well beyond 96 inches and can further strengthen the label rail system.

The rim modifier component, as shown in FIGS. 4, 16, 17-19, 23, 25, and 31, is the connection point for the display case vitrine/bonnet, which can be slipped into and secured in a rabbit formed in the rim modifier; and is designated in the figures as element 106. The rim modifier can be produced in various dimensions to accommodate various vitrine thicknesses ranging, for example, from 0.25 inches to 0.75 inches. It is secured to the top rim of the case cabinet and is designed to receive the vitrine. In this manner, various thickness of vitrine can be accommodated with the exemplary label rail system. When the rim modifier is used, it can also act as a secure receiver for the label rail body. The rim modifiers can be integrated with optional, preinstalled vitrine/bonnet compression gaskets for sealing the enclosure. While not shown in the figures, the vitrine can be secured within the rim modifier with screws; and is designated in the figures as element 107.

In alternate embodiments, the rim modifier can be utilized as the entire exhibit frame, without employing either the label rail body or the rail back support. Examples of this embodiment are shown in FIGS. 24-31. Advantages of solely utilizing rim modifier components to enclose and secure an exhibit include simplified construction, lower materials and fabrication time and costs, and more flexibility in the design of the exhibit and exhibit framing. The rim modifier is designed in such a manner to not only be self-supporting but also to provide design components to secure the vitrine enclosing and to secure the exhibit, while also satisfying conservation requirements. While the figures do not show braces or rail back supports for joining the contact points for the rim modifier, these contact points can be secured by fastening the pieces of the rim modifier to the base supporting the enclosure and/or the deck supporting the exhibited object, as shown in FIGS. 18, 25, 27, 29, and 30. FIGS. 33 and 34 show a rim modifier jig 110 that is used to stabilize the rim modifier 106 while the rim modifier is being cut to size for a particular exhibit frame.

FIGS. 24, 25, 28, and 31 show four pieces of the rim modifier assembled together to form an enclosure frame. Alternate embodiments can comprise more or fewer rim modifier pieces to be assembled together to form the frame. For example, a single rim modifier piece formed in a circular arrangement can be used to form a frame. Similarly, three rim modifier pieces can be assembled to form a triangular frame. More than four rim modifier pieces can be used to assemble a multi-sided enclosure frame.

FIGS. 19-22 also show a brace for securing the corners of the exhibit frame such that the exhibit frame can be conveniently located, fastened, and handled as a signal piece, with the brace being designated as element 108 in the figures. While various figures show the exhibit frame comprising four sides, embodiments of this invention are not so limited; and any number of exhibits sides can be utilized to securely enclose an exhibit in other than a rectangular or square placement, including curved sections. Further, the exhibit frame can be constructed of the components described herein and fixed to a stable base in any orientation. While many exhibits are located on floor-mounted stands, as shown in FIGS. 13-15, 31, and 32, embodiments of this invention are not so limited. For example, the constructed framing can be located vertically, as shown in FIGS. 24-28. Additionally, given the secure design, construction, and inter-connectivity of the label rail body, the rail back support, the rim modifier, and the brace, the constructed framing can be located at any angle, from horizontal (floor-based) to vertical (wall-based) to suspended (ceiling based). The exhibit framing can be attached to the underside of the ceiling or to the underside of a structure or enclosure in an exhibit hall for displaying exhibits. Additionally, the label rail system components can be assembled together such that the exhibit enclosure comprises a multi-plane enclosure, such as, for example and not limitation, an L-shaped enclosure, portions of which are parallel to a horizontal surface and portions of which are parallel to a vertical surface. Each of the label rail body, the rail back support, and the rim modifier can be utilized alone or in any combination for constructing an exhibit frame for securing an exhibit or display.

The stock aluminum material can be cut with a miter saw or vertical bandsaw, as can the finished label rail system components. The corner joints can be assembled using expansion clips or brackets, such as shown with the 90 degree corners of FIGS. 8 and 10. The simplicity of this system allows for even the smallest of shops to fabricate high-quality display cases that meet and/or exceed strict conservation lab requirements. When additional strength is needed to carry heavier loads, the rail back support component can be used in conjunction with the label rail body to dramatically increase load capacity, as shown in FIGS. 9, 18, and 19. The rail back support slides into the underside of the label rail body, as shown in FIGS. 1, 6, 9, 18, 19, and 23. Additionally, when lengths of label rail body longer than 96 inches are needed, the rail back support acts as a mending plate to securely join additional sections together, as shown in FIG. 9.

The label rail system is also reusable. Following the deinstallation of the label rail system, the mechanical corner clamps (braces) as shown in FIGS. 8, 10, and 19-22 can be simply removed, and all parts can be reused again and again as a significant cost savings for future exhibitions.

Variations of the label rail system's components and profiles can be modified to accommodate any number of exhibit case construction styles and dimensions. For example, the components can be designed and formed in curved configuration and style, potentially eliminating the need for the corner brackets shown in FIGS. 8 and 10. In such an embodiment, the material may need to be formed following extrusion, and prior to tempering. An added benefit of a curved profile is increased strength.

An additional embodiment of the label rail system would be a shadowbox-style framing system to provide a low-profile desiccant chamber behind the object cavity. Such a system could be fitted with silicone compression gaskets to maintain a controlled environment within. The corner-joining system would be the same as discussed above.

The label rail system can be integrated in a display or exhibition case, as shown in FIGS. 13-15. Such an exhibition case provides for at least three secure enclosures. The first such enclosure is within the exhibition case itself, located below and supporting the label rail system. The second such enclosure is within the label rail body enclosure and underneath the deck attached to the top of the label rail body system. The third such enclosure is enclosed by the vitrine/bonnet and provides the space for displaying the object or exhibit. In some embodiments, the second enclosure can be considered part of and within the third enclosure. While the vitrine is typically clear, various tints or selective clear and opaque portions are envisioned, depending on the nature of the object on display. Each of these three spaces can be secured to each other in such a manner that only authorized personnel can access the particular space. The exhibition case can be secured to the floor of the exhibition space, or to a piece of furniture or a shelf, with connections that are optionally not externally visible. In an alternate embodiment, the second and third enclosures, together, can comprise the exhibit without the combined exhibit case. In any such configuration, the surface upon which the exhibition case or the combined second and third enclosure is placed can be considered the foundation for the display, and to which the display can be secured. The first or second enclosure can house such support equipment and components as a fan, heating/cooling components, filtering and absorption components, electricity, power sources, sound and/or light generating components, environmental sensors, alarm components, fluid handling components, and electronic components. The electronic components can provide a variety of lighting and sound effects related to the object being exhibited and can include batteries and wired and wireless connections to power sources and signaling. Each of the three enclosures can be utilized as a desiccant chamber for maintaining the required humidity within the third enclosure. A controlled air source providing acceptable temperature and humidity levels can be supplied to the exhibit case through a concealed vent in the foundation underneath the case. Alternately, temperature and humidity control components can be housed in the first or second enclosures to assist in maintaining the proper environment in the third enclosure for the displayed objects. Vents as shown in FIG. 14 can be provided for air intake and/or exhaustion. Further, buttons or switches (not shown) for activating various features within the exhibit can be integrated in the label rail body or rim modifier, as can lights for indicating various conditions or features within the exhibit.

The foregoing descriptions of specific exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive nor to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain certain principles of the invention and their practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to make and utilize various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, as well as various alternatives and modifications thereof. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the Claims appended hereto and their equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for providing a rim modifier for supporting an object to be securely displayed, comprising: extruding an aluminum component to form rim modifier components, wherein the rim modifier components are configured to be secured to a base and are further configured to securely accept vitrine components for displaying an object, wherein the rim modifier components are further configured to support a deck, which in turn supports the object to be displayed; and assembling the rim modifier components and the vitrine components to provide a secure and environmentally stable enclosure for displaying the object, wherein the rim modifier components consist solely of an inert material.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the assembled enclosure is self-supporting; and wherein the assembled enclosure is configured to be affixed to the base in a horizontal position and also configured to be affixed to another base at any angle from the horizontal position.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the assembled components of the enclosure comprise multiple pieces of the rim modifier and multiple pieces of the vitrine; and wherein the multiple pieces of the rim modifier are secured to the base and the deck where the rim modifier pieces are in contact with each other.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising assembling the rim modifier pieces and the vitrine pieces to provide a secure and environmentally stable enclosure for displaying the object.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the assembled rim modifier and vitrine are secured to a base cabinet; and wherein the base cabinet includes an enclosure housing support equipment for the display of the object.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the vitrine is configured to completely enclose the object being displayed.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the rim modifier is cut to size with the aid of a rim modifier jig.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the material of the rim modifier is comprised of aluminum.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the assembled enclosure is fastened to a base, forming an enclosure above and below the deck; and wherein the below deck enclosure houses mechanical and electrical components related to the object being displayed in the above deck enclosure.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the exhibit enclosure formed by the rim modifier components comprises a multi-plane enclosure.
 11. A display enclosure for providing a secure enclosure for displaying an object, comprising: a housing structure containing mechanical components and electrical components, the housing structure configured to be secured to a foundation and comprising a base for a display enclosure; and an exhibit enclosure secured to the housing structure, comprising: a rim modifier in three or more pieces, secured to the housing structure, the rim modifier constructed solely of an inert material; a deck secured to the rim modifier pieces and forming an enclosure above the deck and framed by the rim modifier pieces, the deck supporting an object being exhibited within the secure enclosure; and a vitrine in three or more pieces, secured to the rim modifier pieces, the vitrine pieces forming a secured enclosure exhibiting an object within the space formed by the vitrine pieces.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the exhibit enclosure is self-supporting; and wherein the exhibit enclosure is configured to be affixed to the foundation in a horizontal position and also configured to be affixed to another base at any angle from the horizontal position.
 13. The system of claim 11, wherein the components of the exhibit enclosure comprise multiple pieces of the rim modifier and the vitrine, wherein the multiple pieces of the rim modifier are secured to the base and the deck where the rim modifier pieces are in contact.
 14. The system of claim 11, wherein the pieces of the rim modifier and the vitrine are assembled together with the deck to provide a secure and environmentally stable enclosure for displaying the object.
 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the assembled components of the exhibit enclosure are secured to a base cabinet, wherein the base cabinet includes an enclosure housing support equipment for the display of the object.
 16. The system of claim 11, wherein the vitrine is configured to completely enclose the object being displayed.
 17. The system of claim 11, wherein the rim modifier is cut to size with the aid of a rim modifier jig.
 18. The system of claim 11, wherein the material of the rim modifier is comprised of aluminum.
 19. The system of claim 11, wherein the exhibit enclosure is fastened to a base, forming an enclosure above and below the deck; and wherein the below deck enclosure houses mechanical and electrical components related to the object being displayed in the above deck enclosure.
 20. The system of claim 11, wherein the exhibit enclosure formed by the rim modifier pieces comprises a multi-plane enclosure. 